Carter to speak by video at Democratic convention

Former President Jimmy Carter will address the 2012 Democratic National Convention live via video in prime time.

The Democratic National Convention Committee said Tuesday that Carter's message, to be given on the Tuesday of the convention that runs Sept. 3-6 in Charlotte, will include "unique insights about President [Barack] Obama as a global leader."

At the 2008 Democratic convention in Denver, the former Georgia governor spoke to a meeting of the state delegation and participated in a delegate service day.

He decided that year as well to speak to the full convention via video, rather than from the convention hall.

Carter told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution during the 2008 convention that he asked Obama campaign adviser David Axelrod "just to let me do whatever I could to be helpful."

With Michelle Obama speaking opening night of the 2008 convention and the presidential candidate speaking that Thursday, Bill and Hillary Clinton spoke Tuesday and Wednesday.

"So, I didn't want to intrude," Carter said then. "I didn't need to get on the stage and make a speech."

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, the chairman of the 2012 convention, called Carter "one of the greatest humanitarian leaders of our time and a champion of democracy around the globe."

"A lifelong champion of human rights and investments in education and energy to spur economic development, President Carter will provide unique insight into President Obama's ability to move our country forward and why we need his vision and leadership for a second term," Villaraigosa said.